Group Writing Ethics
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Do you Want to Write for Threads of Damocles?
Writing for Threads of Damocles does not require specifically "fitting with the group," but you may want to see if your basic expectations are similar enough to that of the core staff that writing or producing will be a pleasant experience to you. We've tried to outline a few of the qualities the group tends to reflect.
We are a Pragmatic Group
Most of the people associated with producing Threads of Damocles have a high degree of artistic integrity. But the foremost element of artistic integrity is "the show must go on!" We are pragmatists. None of us want to stage schlock - but we also recognize that we have to have a finished production. That often means dealing with imperfections, and difficulties to make sure that we have something to run. Our turnaround is very short. Often our response to a problem has to be "live with it and fix it next time." Perfectionism is fine - if there is time available - and we all play the perfectionist when we have the option. But we must be pragmatic in our decisions as to how to use the available time.
"Can Do" "Will Accommodate" Attitude
Threads of Damocles runs on a very short turnaround. Often there are only three to four weeks to develop a game. We expect all the creators of the game to have an assimilationist attitude. New ideas are good. Changes to a plot - even if they are slight curveballs - can be handled. When we approach each other and say "I need X to be in this scene," we need an enthusiastic "yes," unless there is a tremendous reason why that would really, truly, seriously, damage the scene. "It isn't what I had in mind" is not a good reason. "It would make the scene unplayable" is a good reason. We expect that if one writer says "I need this in your scene" another writer will accommodate them, if it is at all possible.
Not Argumentative
A change to a scene is something that another writer needs to make their plots work or tie in better. "Could this guy actually be the nephew of this guy in my scene." Picking nits is wanting to change a scene because you don't like the way it is written and think you have a better idea. We don't encourage an argumentative or micromanaging approach. There is simply not time on our production schedule for that sort of argument. If you need a change to another writer's work because of something you are writing, ask. If you need a change because you don't like the way they wrote it, you can offer - gently, politely, and briefly - a better suggestion. If they don't want to take it, put a sock in it.
There is a Gulf of Distance between "The Way I Would Do It" and "Damaging to the Game." We all feel that we have the best possible way to do things, and write the best possible scenes. What we have to understand is that there are many, many shades between "different than me" and "bad." Things will be done with your scenes, or with other scenes that are not what you would ideally have wanted. This doesn't mean what is being done is "bad" and even if it is not as good as what you would have done, if it doesn't break the game, and isn't disastrous, we cannot spend days arguing about the best possible way to do things. If something is viable, it will run.
You will not Break the Game
Our continuity staff has complete confidence in our ability to spin-control any runtime mistake after the fact. As long as you stick to a few basic policies (such as rulings on Death), you will not break the game. Even if you violate these policies, you won't break the game, but we will have to say "This person erred." You do not need to be hyperconservative about writing because you fear "breaking the game." The game can't be broken. Write what you need to. Obviously we don't expect you to be cavalier either - use good sense. But don't be paralyzed through fear of "hurting something." If you do, we'll fix it.
Have a Reserved, Professional, Attitude
In a game with the turnaround period of Threads of Damocles, there are certain qualities that do not fly well. Being thin skinned, being an "Artiste" who cannot stand any changes or criticism, or taking things overly personal do not fly well. Likewise, we are a pretty tough group. We all miss sleep, have stress, and deal with problems. We respect and understand that people helping with production may have these issues. We will try to help. We will be sympathetic. But we also need a certain level of reserve. A Writer in Crisis has become a problem that is consuming staff resources, not adding to them. We aren't professionals (we don't get paid enough) and we aren't going to carp about professionalism. But we expect people to be able to pull themselves together, get their work done, and function without needing too much attention or hand holding. We don't want to seem unsympathetic. But we don't want a new writer to feel "crushed" because they don't get a lot of time and attention. We do this all the time, and it has to be somewhat routine, and we have to keep a fairly calm, cool, and collected attitude. We're not saying you have to be RoboGM, and not show emotion, or never snap We all do those things. But we need people to approach things with a moderately laid-back attitude, and be willing to chill a little.
In summary - you are coming into a group where major production is fairly routine. If you deal with it on a crisis basis, you will probably tend to find some conflict, because most of our cast and staff respect urgency - when things need to get done "now" but are not used to being driven on a crisis basis.
